By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
MOUNT Carmel School left no doubt about its dominance in the PSS-NMISA Interscholastic Fastpitch Softball League SY25-26, finishing the season undefeated and capturing the girls division championship with a commanding 16-4 victory over Tanapag Middle School on Saturday at the Dandan ballfield.
Throughout the championship game, MCS combined disciplined hitting, aggressive baserunning, and strong pitching to dethrone defending champion TMS in five innings.
MCS set the tone early.
In the top of the first inning, MCS capitalized on TMS infield errors and stolen bases to take a 3-0 lead. TMS responded in the bottom half with two runs off errors to cut the deficit to 3-2.
MCS broke the game open in the second inning with a nine-run surge. Cali Cabrera and Victoria Terlaje each hit inside-the-park home runs, while Aycee Quitugua, Aliyani Basa, Heaven Deleon Guerrero, Miana Dela Cruz, Miana Dela Cruz, Paige Muna, and others contributed RBIs to extend the lead to 12-2.
After a scoreless third inning, MCS added two more runs in the fourth. TMS answered with two of its own in the bottom half, but still trailed 14-4.
In the fifth, Muna and Aleiyah Tarkong delivered RBI singles to push the lead to 16-4, triggering the 10-run rule.
TMS threatened in its final at-bat but left two runners on base as MCS secured the win and the championship.
While the offense powered the victory, MCS pitcher Miana Dela Cruz anchored the defense, recording 11 strikeouts to keep TMS off balance.
Following the game, MCS head coach Tom Dela Cruz praised his team’s effort.
“I’m very proud of the girls — they worked hard since day one,” he said. “We had our ups and downs during the season, but they stayed focused. They knew what the goal was, and they came out here today and executed.”
Coach Dela Cruz said the game plan centered on patience at the plate.
“We knew their pitchers threw hard, so we wanted to stay disciplined and swing at good pitches,” he said. “Once we got runners on, we wanted to be aggressive on the bases and put pressure on their defense. It worked out early.”
The title carried added meaning for MCS, as public schools have traditionally dominated the division.
“These girls have a lot of heart,” Coach Dela Cruz said. “Most of them have been playing together for a while, and seeing them finally reach the top is special. It’s great for the school, the parents, and especially those young ladies who put in the work.”
MCS finished the season with a 5-0 record.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
